US National News

SEATTLE, Wash. /Massachusetts Newswire: -- Friday Harbor, an AI-powered platform that helps loan officers assemble complete and compliant loan files in real time, announced two strategic hires today: Chris Simms has joined as head of strategic partnerships, and Gregory Buehler has joined as founding product manager. They bring over 35 years of combined experience in mortgage lending, product strategy and technology innovation.

ST. HELENA, Calif. /Massachusetts Newswire: -- COME TOGETHER -- A Community for Wine today announced that planning is underway for its highly anticipated second annual "Come Over October" campaign, building on the extraordinary success of 2024's inaugural initiative. The community-driven wine platform continues to demonstrate the power of authentic connection through wine appreciation, preparing to expand its reach and impact even further this fall.

SAN FRANCISCO, Calif. /Massachusetts Newswire: -- The Glancy Wine Education Foundation (GWEF) today announced the appointment of two new board members, Brandon Ford and Annie Shi, as the organization marks a leadership transition with the stepping down of Vice President Alder Yarrow after five years of dedicated service.

LONDON, U.K. /Massachusetts Newswire: -- Xole AI, an AI image generation platform, today introduced a new suite of photo editing features aimed at enhancing creative workflows for both professionals and everyday users. The update includes twelve practical editing tools powered by artificial intelligence, offering efficient and high-quality image enhancement capabilities.

BURLINGTON, Ky. /Massachusetts Newswire: -- Snappy Tomato Pizza ("Snappy") is excited to announce its newest location coming soon to Maysville, Kentucky! Set to open in early August, the new store will be conveniently located in the Bluegrass Center at 1122 US HWY 68. Offering delivery and carryout only, this location will make it easier than ever for Maysville residents to enjoy Snappy's famous pizza.

LOS ANGELES, Calif. /Massachusetts Newswire: -- At the age of 13, David F. Yep left his home in Rockford, Illinois to embark on what would become a 13-year journey in Catholic seminary life. It's a journey he brilliantly breaks down in "Uncollared: Your Heart Knows the Way, Re-Learn How to Listen to It" (ISBN: 979-8992585469 [paperback]), which has just been relaunched with a fresh introduction by Elevate Press.

SALT LAKE CITY, Utah /Massachusetts Newswire: -- Legacy Dental is excited to announce a significant enhancement to its services: the introduction of customized oral appliances designed specifically for managing obstructive sleep apnea (OSA). This innovative treatment option is now available for patients seeking effective solutions for sleep-related breathing disorders, marking a substantial advancement in dental and sleep health.

ARLINGTON HEIGHTS, Ill. /Massachusetts Newswire: -- Lutheran Life Communities hosts a late-summer event lineup that invites older adults to explore life at its four dynamic locations. Each event reflects the organization's deep commitment to fostering lifelong learning, meaningful connection and personal discovery.

LONG BEACH ISLAND, N.J. /Massachusetts Newswire: -- Save Long Beach Island (Save LBI), a grass-roots environmental organization dedicated to protecting our ocean and shore communities, is urging the country's large environmental organizations to take a step back and critically examine their support of offshore wind energy.

WASHINGTON, D.C. /Massachusetts Newswire: -- Arsha Jones, founder and CEO of Capital City, announced today the launch of the Capital City Micro-Grant, a $5,000 grant aimed at helping local, retail-ready entrepreneurs scale their consumer product businesses. The grant will be awarded during the Shop Made Makers Summit, a multi-day entrepreneurship experience taking place August 19-21 in Washington, D.C.

MCLEAN, Va. /Massachusetts Newswire: -- Holzman Laser Vision is proud to announce that founder and medical director Dr. Andrew Holzman, MD, FACS has been named a Top Doctor in the July/August 2025 issue of Arlington Magazine. This prestigious honor is based on peer nominations and outstanding patient outcomes, recognizing Dr. Holzman's decades of service and leadership in the field of laser vision correction.

BUENOS AIRES, Argentina /Massachusetts Newswire: -- In recent years, there has been a concerning decline in catches of Loligo gahi squid in the waters around the Falkland Islands, says Fundacion Agustina Lerena. This species, essential to Spanish fishing (particularly for Galician vessel owners), represents a key resource whose collapse is having serious economic consequences.

WESTMINSTER, Colo. and LAS VEGAS /Massachusetts Newswire: -- Come see Kiosk Industry in booth 445. Conversational AI hardware and AI analytics hardware highlighted. meldCX for Windows and Android for device support and analytics. AI Connect Bar provides hardware for conversational AI used in drive-thrus, help desks, and self-ordering. Augment your solution.

LOS ANGELES, Calif. /Massachusetts Newswire: -- PDFgear today launched PDFgear Scan, the world's first free AI-powered scanner app. The app turns paper documents into clean, editable digital files like PDF or Word in seconds. More impressively, it comes with no ads, usage limits, and no cost. With this launch, PDFgear Scan sets a new benchmark for mobile scanning by combining AI with truly free access for everyone.

SALT LAKE CITY, Utah /Massachusetts Newswire: -- Mobility Market Intelligence (MMI), the original pioneer in mortgage market intelligence, today announced the launch of ChatMMI™ - the industry's first conversational AI interface built specifically for lenders, recruiters, and mortgage professionals.

NEW YORK, N.Y. /Massachusetts Newswire: -- Klingenstein Fields Advisors (KF Advisors) is proud to announce its recognition as one of the top Registered Investment Advisors (RIAs) in Financial Advisor Magazine's 2025 Survey & Ranking, released on July 11, 2025, for firms managing $1.0 billion or more in assets.

MONTREAL, Quebec /Massachusetts Newswire: -- Chief Investment Officer of COTE 100 and respected financial columnist Philippe Le Blanc has officially released "Advantage Equities: Invest Between the Lines and Win" (ISBN: 978-0228818939; released June 2025 by Tellwell Publishing), an insightful new book offering investors a fresh, accessible perspective on the world of stock market investing.

NEW YORK, N.Y. /Massachusetts Newswire: -- Luvme Hair, a leading brand in premium human hair wigs and hair extensions, announces its seasonal highlight featuring top picks for colorful wigs designed to inspire vibrant summer styles. As temperatures rise and consumers seek fresh ways to express individuality, the brand's curated selection showcases a variety of bold hues and innovative designs suited for the summer months.

PHILADELPHIA, Pa. /Massachusetts Newswire: -- The Wine School of Philadelphia today announced the return of Summer Wine School, offering students across the country the opportunity to earn their sommelier certification in just one week. With flexible evening classes and a hands-on curriculum, the program has become a go-to for aspiring wine professionals and serious enthusiasts alike.

JACKSONVILLE BEACH, Fla. /Massachusetts Newswire: -- Industrial SalesLeads announced today the June 2025 results for its new planned capital project spending report, highlighting the continued strong activity in the Industrial Manufacturing sector. According to the firm's research, 141 new industrial manufacturing projects were tracked in June 2025 alone, reflecting robust activity across North America.

GARDEN GROVE, Calif. /Massachusetts Newswire: -- Informative Research Data Solutions, a division of Informative Research and a leading provider of data-powered borrower intelligence and analytics tools for the financial services industry, announced today that its executive vice president, Shannon Santos, has been named a 2025 Mortgage Professional America (MPA) Elite Woman Award recipient.

ATLANTA, Ga. /Massachusetts Newswire: -- Strategic Benefits Advisors, Inc. (SBA) today released a practical summary of the employee benefits provisions contained in the newly enacted One Big Beautiful Bill Act (OBBB), signed into law by President Trump on July 4, 2025. While the legislation spans a wide range of tax and policy changes, SBA's summary highlights the bill's most significant impacts on employer-sponsored retirement plans, health and welfare benefits and payroll operations.

NEW YORK, N.Y. /Massachusetts Newswire: -- HitPaw, a global leader in AI-powered creative software, today announced the release of a new version 4.3.2 of HitPaw VikPea. This major upgrade introduces major improvements in user interface design, AI model architecture, new AI Pilot model and full cloud-based export acceleration, offering users a smoother, smarter, and significantly faster video enhancement experience.

LOS ANGELES, Calif. /Massachusetts Newswire: -- In celebration of its first anniversary, Edimakor, the creative video editing software trusted by content creators around the world, is thrilled to launch a limited-time Sales Promotion Event. This special campaign gives users the chance to enjoy exclusive discounts and win exciting gifts.

MCLEAN, Va. /Massachusetts Newswire: -- By Light Professional IT Services LLC (By Light) is proud to announce that it has been officially appraised at Cybersecurity Maturity Model Certification (CMMC) Level 2, demonstrating the company's deep commitment to safeguarding Controlled Unclassified Information (CUI) and meeting the cybersecurity requirements of the U.S. Department of Defense (DoD).

PORTLAND, Maine /Massachusetts Newswire: -- Hundreds of international flags will sway in the breeze as summer heats up on Saturday, July 26, 2025, at Deering Oaks Park for the 23rd Annual Greater Portland Festival of Nations (FON). This vibrant celebration is a feast for the eyes and ears, showcasing Maine's rich cultural diversity while preserving traditions, fostering ethnic understanding, and promoting unity. This year's theme: "FROM MANY NATIONS, ONE MAINE."

LAKE ZURICH, Ill. /Massachusetts Newswire: -- Dovenmuehle Mortgage, Inc., a leading mortgage subservicer, today announced the successful completion of its 2024 Service Organization Control (SOC) 1® Type 2 and SOC 2® Type 2 audits. These independent audits, conducted by the public accounting and business advisory firm Plante Moran, PLLC, affirm Dovenmuehle's adherence to the highest standards for internal controls, data security, and operational effectiveness. {UPDATED]

MIAMI, Fla. /Massachusetts Newswire: -- A one of a kind intellectual property suite is now available for full acquisition, offering an unprecedented opportunity to own the Black Friday season, Empire License, Inc. announced today. The Black Friday Lifestyle is not just a brand - it's an immersive retail experience that blends AI, family entertainment, loyalty rewards, and merchandising into one unforgettable consumer campaign.

BURLEIGH HEADS, Queensland /Massachusetts Newswire: -- If dating feels like one big performance review and you're constantly trying to prove you're good enough, this book is your permission slip to stop. Meet "Stop Hating Dating, Start Being You" (ISBN: 978-1834182261) - the bold and brutally honest read from Gold Coast-based author Sarah van Eck, which is not just shaking up the dating world but also questioning the way feminism has shaped modern love.

KOKOMO, Ind. /Massachusetts Newswire: -- CFD Companies' efforts to support adviser marketing were validated recently when CFD affiliated financial adviser Rachael Camp was a featured panelist at the 2025 Jolt! Conference. Social media marketing remains prohibited at many financial services firms, but CFD has calculated that the extra regulatory burdens are a part of providing exceptional service to CFD affiliated financial professionals.

SEATTLE, Wash. /Massachusetts Newswire: -- Friday Harbor, an AI-powered platform that helps loan officers assemble complete and compliant loan files in real time, today announced the availability of open APIs, giving lenders and vendors a new level of flexibility in how they integrate Friday Harbor into their mortgage tech stack.

BRISTOL, England /Massachusetts Newswire: -- UTTO's Locate Assurance® now integrates into Radiodetection's Locate Performance Management™, delivering advanced data-driven solutions and driving the industry forward. This strategic collaboration delivers real-time quality checks, in-depth data analysis and highly accurate mapping for utility locators.

MINNEAPOLIS, Minn. /Massachusetts Newswire: -- Direct mail is proving its staying power, according to new industry research commissioned by Franklin Madison Direct and conducted by Circlebox. The 2025 Direct Mail Marketing Benchmark Report shows 67% of marketers saw improved direct mail performance over the past 12 months - the highest lift among all direct marketing channels, including email and social media.

ATLANTA, Ga. /Massachusetts Newswire: -- Down Payment Resource (DPR), the housing industry's leading technology for connecting homebuyers with homebuyer assistance programs, today announced a strategic partnership with FirstHome IQ, a nonprofit empowering the next generation of homeowners through modern, accessible financial education and tools for industry partners.

NEW YORK, N.Y. /Massachusetts Newswire: -- Since iMyFone has officially launched Nut Studio on May, an innovative desktop application designed to make local deployment of Large Language Models (LLMs) accessible to everyone - no programming skills required, users include individuals and businesses can harness the power of advanced AI completely offline, ensuring maximum privacy, security, and performance, without the complexities traditionally associated with AI setup.

GARDEN GROVE, Calif. /Massachusetts Newswire: -- Informative Research (IR), a premier technology provider delivering data-driven credit and verification solutions to the lending community, today announced the availability of Halcyon's IRS tax transcript service within the IR Verification Platform. This enhancement expands Informative Research's suite of verification of income and employment (VOI/E) options.

VICTORIA, British Columbia /Massachusetts Newswire: -- Writer and independent thinker Mont Redmond is getting ready for controversy with his thought-provoking new book, "Ideas Inspired by the Qur'an" (ISBN-10: 1738842509; Released January 2023). A deeply personal and intellectually engaging work, the book invites readers of all faiths, as well as agnostics and the non-religious, to reflect on enduring spiritual and philosophical questions through the lens of the Qur'an.

LOS ANGELES, Calif. /Massachusetts Newswire: -- The Citizens Commission on Human Rights International (CCHR) is warning Congress and the public that new legislation to legalize psychedelic drugs for U.S. veterans is a dangerous repeat of history-when defenders of the nation were used as test subjects in unethical psychiatric experiments.

SEATTLE, Wash. /Massachusetts Newswire: -- How would you like to take home 100% of your paycheck and never pay income tax again? To learn more, get a free copy of the new book by Rich Germaine, "Tax Revolution 2.0, Let's Get Rid of the Income Tax."

SAN FRANCISCO, Calif. /Massachusetts Newswire: -- The Glancy Wine Education Foundation (GWEF) today celebrates the 5th anniversary of its founding with the release of its mid-year impact data, highlighting important growth in scholarship awards, industry sponsorship, and national reach. Since 2020, GWEF has awarded 249 scholarships to aspiring wine professionals from underserved communities across the United States.

LOS ANGELES, Calif. /Massachusetts Newswire: -- Janel Parrish ("Pretty Little Liars," "To All the Boys I've Loved Before") will star in the feature adaptation of "Bound For Glory," an emotionally resonant indie drama from rising AAPI filmmaker Michael Naizu, EKC PR announced today.

LAS VEGAS, Nev. /Massachusetts Newswire: -- Michael Leonetti, a well-known entertainer and master chef was wrongfully arrested, convicted and jailed for a crime he did not commit. It took him 12 years in jail to prove his innocence. His book details and exposes all court documents confirming it was a huge cover-up by the courts, lawyers, detectives and a prison warden.

NEW YORK, N.Y. /Massachusetts Newswire: -- Former U.S. Secretary of Health and Human Services Tommy Thompson will join host Dr. Howard Zucker for an upcoming episode of the viewer-interactive podcast, "Docology," on Monday, July 14, 2025 at 1 p.m. ET, HANG Media announced today. Thompson, who served under President George W. Bush, is the latest in a long line of prestigious experts providing compelling, fact-based insights into urgent public health matters.

JACKSONVILLE BEACH, Fla. /Massachusetts Newswire: -- Industrial SalesLeads just released its June 2025 report, revealing a notable rebound in planned capital project spending for the North American Food and Beverage industry. After two months of decline, the sector saw a strong comeback with 56 new projects confirmed. June saw month-over-month growth across all categories with new construction up by 27%, expansion projects increasing by 66%, and renovations / equipment upgrades climbing by 40%.

SALT LAKE CITY, Utah /Massachusetts Newswire: -- Mobility Market Intelligence (MMI), the industry's sole provider of a unified mortgage technology solution, today announced a series of major platform enhancements and strategic product upgrades delivered in Q2 2025. These developments reinforce MMI's leadership as the only cohesive system delivering market intelligence, predictive borrower alerts, conversation-driven CRM, and a homeowner engagement platform in one high-impact solution.

ADDISON, Texas /Massachusetts Newswire: -- Click n' Close, a multi-state mortgage lender, today announced it has been honored for the second year in a row as a 2025 Top Wholesale Lender Champion by the United States Department of Agriculture. This recognition underscores Click n' Close's continued commitment to fostering homeownership and supporting community development through innovative lending programs.

NEW YORK, N.Y. /Massachusetts Newswire: -- HitPaw, a leading innovator in multimedia software solutions, today announced the release of a new version of HitPaw FotorPea (originally named HitPaw Photo Enhancer)! The new version brings a new feature: AI old photo restoration and AI colorize for faded photos. Also, it supports uploading PDF document to enhance contents. This update greatly changed the methods of processing damaged and torn photos with cherished memories.

MAYSVILLE, Ky. /Massachusetts Newswire: -- Snappy Tomato Pizza is thrilled to announce the upcoming opening of its newest location in Maysville, Kentucky, bringing its famous pizza, fresh ingredients, and friendly service to the local community. Scheduled to open in late July, the new store will be located in the Bluegrass Center at 1122 US HWY 68 and will offer delivery and carryout service only, making it easier than ever for local pizza lovers to enjoy their favorite Snappy meals at home.

SAN DIEGO, Calif. /Massachusetts Newswire: -- Twenty-five executive leaders from The Mortgage Collaborative (TMC) have been identified as holding current leadership positions in their respective state Mortgage Bankers Associations (MBAs), showcasing a growing alignment between grassroots industry advocacy and national operational collaboration.

SAN FRANCISCO, Calif. /Massachusetts Newswire: -- Handy Recovery Advisor, a trusted resource for data recovery tips and digital safety advice, has published the results of a nationwide survey of 1,000 U.S. adults. The report highlights how everyday users deal with data loss and how most don't take action until it's too late.

BOULDER, Colo. /Massachusetts Newswire: -- Floify, the mortgage industry's leading point-of-sale (POS) solution, today announced that Sydney Barber, head of product, has received a 2025 Mortgage Star Award. The Mortgage Star awards honor exceptional women in the mortgage and housing finance industry who demonstrate leadership, innovation and a commitment to advancing the profession.

NEW YORK CITY, N.Y. /Massachusetts Newswire: -- Argyle, a service provider automating income, employment and asset verifications for some of the largest lenders in the United States, has been honored with PROGRESS in Lending's inaugural Game Changer award. The recognition celebrates technology providers whose products solve real industry challenges and improve the mortgage lending process.

NEW YORK, N.Y. /Massachusetts Newswire: -- We are pleased to announce that GGAssist GamiMate is now available. As a customized software for gamers, GamiMate is able to communicate with players in-game and discuss strategies. Who says AI teammates are not as good as real teammates? GamiMate will crush that statement!

POMPANO BEACH, Fla. /Massachusetts Newswire: -- RMA (rma.us.com) a leading economic development firm, has been awarded a contract by the City of Lakeland to spearhead the strategic modification of the Lakeland Community Redevelopment Agency (CRA) Midtown District Redevelopment Plan. This initiative will encompass a thorough analysis of existing conditions, the implementation of performance measures, and the establishment of updated goals and objectives.

SALT LAKE CITY, Utah and ATLANTA, Ga. /Massachusetts Newswire: -- Arcasa, a provider of solar-integrated mortgage solutions, and Down Payment Resource, the housing industry's leading technology for connecting homebuyers with homebuyer assistance programs, today announced that Arcasa's Energy-Smart DPA program is now listed nationwide in Down Payment Resource's DPA Directory. Energy-Smart DPA combines a market-rate home loan with energy-efficient upgrades, giving homebuyers a single, streamlined path to both homeownership and long-term utility savings.

BOULDER, Colo. /Massachusetts Newswire: -- Floify, the mortgage industry's leading point-of-sale (POS) solution, announced today that its no-code Dynamic Apps engine has been selected as the first-ever Game Changer Award recipient by PROGRESS in Lending. The technology tailors every loan application to a borrower's exact purpose while ensuring airtight compliance.

DENVER, Colo. /Massachusetts Newswire: -- ACES Quality Management® (ACES), the leading provider of enterprise quality management and control software for the financial services industry, today announced the promotion of two internal compliance leaders: Amanda Phillips to general counsel and executive vice president of compliance, and Savannah Prout to associate vice president of compliance.

PLANO, Texas /Massachusetts Newswire: -- Optimal Blue today released its June 2025 Market Advantage mortgage data report showing total lock volume rose 1.95% month-over-month (MoM), driven by increased refinance activity. Refinance share climbed from 16% to 18% of all locks as rate-and-term refinances jumped 17.4% MoM and 18.4% year-over-year (YoY). Cash-out refinances rose 8.1% from May and nearly 28% YoY.

DORAL, Fla. /Massachusetts Newswire: -- On Tuesday, July 8, the cigars won't be the only thing on fire in Doral. Bleeding Blue Inc. is bringing the heat with a Casino-Themed Cigar Night, hosted at Tabacon Cigars and Spirits and powered by the immersive event expertise of Casino Party Planners Florida.

PANAMA CITY, Panama /Massachusetts Newswire: -- Plait, the web platform that converts wearable metrics into precision nutrition (10,000+ meal plans generated to date), today introduced its AI Nutrition Coach, the first solution designed to adapt meal plans in real time to WHOOP® data. Core workout, strain and sleep metrics are pulled directly from WHOOP's API, while WHOOP webhooks push fresh recovery scores the moment they're available-triggering immediate adjustments so users always know what to eat next.

SEATTLE, Wash. /Massachusetts Newswire: -- It's been 250 years since the first tax revolution. Media Arts Institute, a Seattle-based media company, has just released a new book, "Tax Revolution 2.0, Let's Get Rid of the Income Tax" (ISBN: 979-8288643385; paper) by media consultant and researcher Rich Germaine.

LOS ANGELES, Calif. /Massachusetts Newswire: -- Despite dozens of closures of abusive "troubled teen" programs in behavioral and psychiatric centers, including wilderness camps in recent years, a leading mental health industry watchdog warns that children's lives remain at risk unless stronger laws ban the worst offenders and the secretive youth transport practices that feed them. The Citizens Commission on Human Rights International (CCHR) says that while public outrage and media exposure have forced some notorious facilities to close, the underlying problems that enable these abusive programs still persist.

HUNTINGTON BEACH, Calif. /Massachusetts Newswire: -- This Friday, July 5th at 6 p.m., genre-bending country-hip hop band Good Ol' Boyz will take the stage at SeaSalt Honky Tonk, a recently opened live-music spot on Bolsa Chica State Beach. Admission is free, and the all-ages beachside event is expected to draw more than 2,000 fans.

LOS ANGELES, Calif. /Massachusetts Newswire: -- HotDeals has just unveiled its brand-new HD Membership & Rewards Points system, offering users more opportunities to earn, redeem, and enjoy exclusive perks. With this exciting upgrade, every interaction, purchase, and check-in becomes more rewarding. Whether you're a daily shopper or an occasional user, this system has something for everyone.

AUSTIN, Texas /Massachusetts Newswire: -- FirstClose™, Inc., a leading fintech provider of data and workflow solutions for mortgage and home equity lenders nationwide, announced its Senior Vice President of Human Resources Katie Smith has been named a 2025 HousingWire Woman of Influence. The national award recognizes her exceptional leadership, commitment to company culture and impact on the fintech and mortgage lending industry.